Gospel Identity: November 2007 Archives

My fundamental identity is not found in the life I lived today, no matter how well I think I lived it. I have the privilege of working each day to bring justice to orphans, particularly the orphans of Ethiopia. There are approximately 10 million orphans in Ethiopia today, creating a huge need for physical support and for adoption. There are orphans as young as two years old who live on the street begging daily for food. James 1:27 says that one of the essential marks of true religion is caring for orphans in their affliction. I am committed both personally and vocationally to serving Ethiopia's orphans through our adoption program and orphan care ministry. It is certainly a great cause that is close to the heart of God. But my fundamental identity must not be found in my little work to bring a small measure of drop-in-a-bucket justice to Ethiopia's orphans.

My fundamental identity is found in the One who lived and died in my place, in the One whom God raised up from the place of the dead ones, in the One who is seated at the right hand of the Father. The One in whom the Father will unite all things, things in heaven and things on earth, is, amazingly, my fundamental identity. He is the One who savingly visited me in my affliction—affliction caused by my own sin and rebellion. Jesus frees me to do what little I can for the orphans of Ethiopia even when my efforts really amount to nothing when compared to the number of orphans who are in need. Fortunately, my identity is not found in what I do. It's found in who Jesus is and what he's done.